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Surrounded by some of the most beautiful Black Sea scenery, Trabzon province has grown over the years to cover an area of 4,664 square kms and now has a population of almost one million people. Trabzon is an old city that has weathered the storms of battle, invasion, natural disaster and internal upheaval.

Trabzon straddles the trade corridor that stretches from the depths of Asia to deep into Europe . For centuries some of the world's greatest travellers have visited Trabzon , from Xenophon to Evliye Celebi, from Fallmerayer to Frunze . In the past, even as today no one who visits Trabzon can fail to be impressed by its history of economic and social development, its importance in the world of arts and cultural growth. Many indeed are those who have written in praise of Trabzon 's patronage of the arts, its protection of fine works of immense historical value. Many have noted its geographical and trade connections with Asia, the Caucasias, the Far east, the Middle East, Istanbul and Europe . Others have been moved to write about its magnificent backdrop of mountains so richly covered in green in the summer and with glistening snow in the winter. Today Trabzon is just as beautiful, and remains a centre for trade, education, sport, tourism and culture.

The years have awarded Trabzon with medallions of progress-historic libraries, the fourth university to be established in Turkey , some of the first health and medical foundations, ever-expanding port facilities, a marina, a busy airport, a World Trade Centre, museums and foundations in support of the Arts.

The province of Trabzon is filled with ruins and historical artifacts that range from castles to monasteries. Charming mountain villages delight the eye, rugged mountain passes remind the passing traveller of the huge power of nature. Of all the natural and other wonders of the province, perhaps the world famous Sumela monastery best typifies what Trabzo9n has to offer.

The cultural mosaic that is Trabzon , includes in its diversity artists, musicians, painters, researchers into the arts and philosophies, academics and poets. Trabzon in fact, fathers more artists and painters than anywhere else in Turkey.

After the arrival of printing in Turkey , Trabzon was the first to set-up a press.

With a history of civilisation and culture going back thousands of years, Trabzon province has over a thousand sites that record Trabzon 's cultural fullness. So much so that Trabzon has been described as a sort of open-air museum, a richly endowed inheritance from which all can benefit wonderfully. This together with the natural endowments with which Trabzon has been abundantly blessed, has contributed much to the increasing tourism in the region. An increasing number of touristic sites and developments is turning the area into one of Turkey 's fastest growing tourist regions.

Any review of Trabzon and its surrounding areas would be incomplete if it did not mention its own Trabzonspor football team. Both at home and abroad, Trabzonspor has enjoyed many successes and has done much to introduce Turkey and the Black Sea to the world.

Although there were nine foreign consulates in Trabzon in 1868, Trabzon has lost none of its historical and trading importance. There are only a few consulates open in Trabzon today, but Trabzon has moved on with the times and found new areas in which to grow and develop, including tourism and culture.

Within the framework of these new dimensions cinema, local theatre, photography, music societies, the plastic arts and other creative pursuits are all playing an important role in growth and helping Trabzon enrich its cultural heritage. During the year, Trabzon hosts almost thirty annual festivals which again add to the year-round attractions of this fine old city.

Everything having been said, there is nothing left to say but to invite our website readers to Trabzon-there to see for themselves the many cultural, natural and historical wonders that make Trabzon what it is today.

Dr.Recep KIZILCIK
Governor Of Trabzon